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NO TORNADO FATALITIES REPORTED IN U.S. THIS YEAR

April 15, 2002 — No one in the United States has died as a result of a tornado so far this year. This is the furthest the nation has gone into any year without a tornado related death since record keeping began in 1950, according to NOAA scientists. (Click NOAA image for larger view of tornado near Mayfield, Okla., taken May 16, 1977.)

In addition, the nation has experienced significantly fewer tornadoes than average, said Joseph Schaefer, Director of NOAA's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. So far in 2002, only 59 tornadoes have been reported, much less than the typical count of nearly 200 by April 15. This is the lowest tornado count on this date since 1994.

Before this year, the latest anyone had died in a tornado in the United States was April 12, 1961, Schaefer said. On average, approximately 70 Americans are killed by tornadoes each year, with about 20 by mid-April. An average of 1,200 tornadoes are reported each year.

Part of the reason for the low number of tornadoes and no deaths so far has been unusual storm tracks this spring, Schaefer said.

"Typically, spring tornadoes develop as storm systems move across the southeastern United States," Schaefer said. "This year, storms have generally moved to the north or stayed over the Gulf Coast."

However, Schaefer reminds Americans to be prepared, especially right now during the busiest tornado months of the year—April, May and June.

"In a way, a late start to the tornado season is particularly dangerous as people tend to become complacent and do not remain alert to developing weather events," Schaefer noted.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center

NOAA's Storm Watch

NOAA's Tornadoes Page

NOAA's Monthly Tornado Statistics

Media Contact:
Keli Tarp, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., (405) 366-0451

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